The Tiny Commander

Fond Memories

The imposing figure before her, standing tall with his distinctive breath mask and goggles, was none other than Plo Koon. The seasoned Jedi Master looked down at the young Ahsoka with a mixture of surprise and deep concern.

"Ahsoka?" Plo Koon's voice was gentle, yet carried the weight of the situation. He knelt down to her level, his presence both calming and protective. "What has happened to you?"

Ahsoka beamed, her young face lighting up with recognition and affection. She reached out to him, and Plo Koon responded by lifting her into his arms, holding her securely.

"Funny!" she exclaimed, repeating the word she had told Obi-Wan earlier, and then giggled as she nuzzled into his robes.

Plo Koon looked over at the nearby healers and then at Rex, who stood a few steps behind, watching the interaction with a respectful distance. "Master Plo," Rex greeted, his tone respectful but tinged with urgency. "Ahsoka was affected by a Separatist device. We're working on a solution."

Plo Koon nodded gravely, still holding Ahsoka close. "I see. This is deeply troubling." He turned his gaze back to Ahsoka, who was now playing with the clasp of his robes. "But we will find a way to help her."

Rex stepped forward. "Generals Skywalker and Kenobi have gone to investigate a lead on the device. Until then, we need to ensure Ahsoka is safe and comfortable."

Plo Koon's eyes softened as he regarded the youngling in his arms. "I will stay with her. She has always been special to me, and I will do whatever it takes to protect her."

Ahsoka, sensing the sincerity and warmth in Plo Koon's words, smiled widely. "Plo stay?"

"Yes, little one," Plo Koon replied, his voice full of warmth. "I will stay."

With Ahsoka settled in Plo Koon's care, Rex felt a sense of relief. He knew that she was in good hands. "Thank you, Master Plo. I'll remain on standby, should you need anything."

As Rex departed to his own duties, Plo Koon focused on Ahsoka. "Would you like to show me what you're building?" he asked, gently setting her down next to her blocks.

Ahsoka nodded eagerly and began to stack the blocks once more, her small hands moving with concentration and determination. Plo Koon watched her, his mind racing with thoughts on how to reverse the effects of the device that had transformed her.

The two sat there, a serene moment amidst the turmoil of the galaxy, the bond between them palpable. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a sense of hope, a belief that together, they could overcome this challenge.

As Plo sat with young Ahsoka, watching her stack the blocks with focused determination, his mind drifted back to the first time he had met her.

He had been on a mission to Shili, her home planet, responding to reports of a child with an unusually strong connection to the Force. The memory of the bright, sunny day came back vividly. The Togruta village had been welcoming, and it was there that he first saw Ahsoka.

She had been a tiny thing, full of energy and curiosity even then. The villagers spoke of her with reverence, noting how she had saved a member of their community from a pack of wild beasts using abilities they didn't understand. Plo Koon had sensed her potential immediately, a bright and vibrant presence in the Force that stood out like a beacon.

He remembered kneeling down to speak to her, the way her large eyes had looked up at him with a mix of awe and excitement. "Hello, little one," he had said. "My name is Plo Koon. I am a Jedi."

Ahsoka had tilted her head, her montrals twitching as she processed this information. "What's a Jedi?" she had asked, her voice small but curious.

Plo Koon had smiled beneath his mask. "A Jedi is someone who uses the Force to help others and keep the peace. And I believe you have the potential to become one too."

She had smiled then, a big, toothy grin that seemed to light up her entire face. "Really? I want to help!"

The decision to take her to the Jedi Temple had been a bittersweet one. He knew that her potential needed to be nurtured and guided, but he also knew how hard it was for families to part with their children. Her parents had been brave, trusting in the Jedi Order to take care of their precious daughter.

Now, as he watched her play, those early days seemed like a lifetime ago. Ahsoka had grown so much, not just in physical stature but in strength and wisdom. She had become a formidable Jedi, someone he was immensely proud of. Seeing her reverted to this childlike state brought a mixture of emotions—nostalgia, protectiveness, and a fierce determination to restore her to her true self.

"Do you remember when we first met, Ahsoka?" Plo Koon asked softly, his voice carrying a gentle warmth.

Ahsoka paused in her play and looked up at him, her eyes wide and curious. "Met?" she echoed, the concept seeming distant and fuzzy in her young mind.

Plo Koon nodded. "Yes, on your home planet of Shili. You were very brave, even as a little one."

Ahsoka tilted her head, clearly trying to remember. "Shili... home?" she murmured, the word bringing a flicker of recognition.

"That's right," Plo Koon said, encouraging her. "You saved someone from danger, using the Force without even knowing what it was."

Ahsoka's face brightened slightly. "Helped... yes. Helped!" she repeated, her youthful exuberance shining through.

Plo Koon smiled, feeling a swell of affection. "Yes, you did. And you've continued to help many people since then. You are very special, Ahsoka."

She giggled, the sound light and infectious. "Special!"

As they sat together, the bond between them as strong as ever, Plo Koon couldn't help but feel a profound sense of pride. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew that with the support and love of those around her, Ahsoka would come through this stronger than ever.